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Worcester
– vs – Sharks
20/09/09 |
Welcome to the premiership! The Sharks ventured down to
Worcester for their first league game of the 2009/2010 season and certainly
managed to turn a few heads. Read the match report here.
It would be fair to say that there was a fairly nervous undercurrent
sweeping through the Sharks warm-up. A fresh start in the women’s top flight of
rugby, we were now among the best and every single person knew it was time to
step up to the mark. Having said that, for the first time in at least 3
seasons, we were the underdogs. This did offset some of the pressure somewhat,
but certainly did nothing to subdue the desire to perform today. |
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A long kick off from on form England fly half Katy McLean
put Worcester under some early pressure in their own 22 and saw the Sharks pack
force an early penalty. Mclean slotted with ease, leaving the first mark on the
game.
Worcester then began an assault, throwing everything they
had at the Sharks back line. Despite making a number of half breaks and escapes
down the wing, our scramble defence denied the Worcester onslaught time after
time, with the Mowden back three combination of NiKki O’Donnell, Jen Edwards
and Ash Wright really putting their bodies on the line.
Eventually after soaking up 20 minutes of pressure, some
good continuity and linking play from Worcester saw Laura Keats score the first
try of the game out wide. The try was not converted.
Not to be disheartened, the sharks stepped it up another
gear and systematically began wearing the Worcester defence out with some
inspired territorial kicking and slinky offence. The scrums were dominant and
following a period camped in the Worcester half the Sharks forced another
penalty and once again McLean duly obliged with 3 points. Now it was obvious
all those gruelling hours on the training pitch were paying dividend.
With only a few minutes of the first half remaining,
Worcester began battering around the breakdown as the sharks were pinned to
their try line. The underdogs defended well and held strong denying the
Worcester pack time after time, After painfully discovering there was “no through route” in the centre
either, Worcester retreated to a huddle for half time. The sharks followed suit
on the other side of the pitch perhaps even daring to believe a little bit
more.
Both teams re-populated the field all guns blazing for the
second half with some effective attacking play on both parts. It was the Sharks
who struck first however with some fine pressurised defending around the
breakdown in the Worcester 22, leading to Ruth Nash charging down a clearing
kick (face first as per usual) and Sam Jamieson body-slamming the ball to score
close in. The try left winded Sam with the inability to breathe, however a
small price to pay for such a conquest, I’m sure you will agree. Mclean
converted.
Worcester came back fighting and started to utilize their opportunities
as the Sharks seemed to take their foot off the gas slightly over a period of
15-20 minutes. The lapse in concentration allowed a loose ball at the back of
the lineout to give Worcester a strong attacking platform. Some quick pick and
go’s saw Kerry Barber go over near the corner for Worcester’s second try. Not
converted.
As the second half progressed the Sharks couldn’t seem to
find their rhythm again and began to give away a few silly penalties as
Worcester wormed their way back into the game. A few good half-breaks by the
Worcester back row were tidied up by a competent cover defence but eventually
holes began to open up out wide and England wing Kat Merchant powered through
an unorganised defence to touch down in the corner. The try wasn’t converted
but the score took Worcester just out in front with only a few minutes
remaining.
The Sharks continued to battle hard up to the final whistle
but it just was not to be, a difficult penalty opportunity missed and a couple
of promising runs later, time was up. 15-13.
After a very strong and promising start to their premiership
campaign, the Sharks lost out by the narrowest of margins, certainly not
through lack of heart. Spirits remained high and lessons were learned with
thoughts now focused on two weeks’ time when Bristol will visit Mowden to face
a rejuvenated and united Sharks squad who now undoubtedly belong in the
premiership.